Taking Shanghai as the empirical study area

this paper combines the topological analysis of space syntax and the quantitative analysis of GIS to explore the influence of urban street configuration on the location and the level of urban commercial centers. Topological configuration of urban streets has strong influence on the location of commercial centers. In commercial centers at different levels

there are one or more axial lines with high integration (red lines) pass through. The level of commercial centers is in direct proportion to the control value

the connect value and the integration value of axial lines in each area. The scatter diagram shows that the local spatial intelligibility of commercial centers at five levels is higher than that of the whole city

suggesting that the commercial centers are apt to be located in the 'intelligibility areas' which are easily to be perceived in the city.